Flash Lens for Mobile Phone Case

ABSTRACT

In one example, we describe a method and device for solving the problem associated with the cover affecting the flash/light from a cell phone camera (for example), causing and adding erroneous colors, effects, and information on the resulting pictures, images, sensors, or videos. We are using/adding one or more lenses in the assembly. With these examples described here, we are solving this problem and dramatically reducing this effect. Other variations are also discussed here.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The current application is related to (continuation of) a prior provisional application Ser. No. 61/400,002, filed on Jul. 20, 2010, with the same inventors, assignee, and title. It is also related to another U.S. application Ser. No. 12/890,603, and its corresponding provisional application Ser. No. 61/400,361, filed on Jul. 27, 2010, with the same assignee, taking benefits of all teachings and earlier filing date of that application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention describes a case for a mobile device, such as a cell phone, GPS unit, MP3 player, or laptop computer. As LED, battery and phone technologies become more advanced, mobile phones, which have had cameras on them for some time, are now starting to incorporate flashes, as well. Some models of phones that utilized these flashes in 2009 were the Palm Pre and the Motorola Droid. In 2010, Google introduced the Nexus One with a flash, and Apple updated its iPhone to the iPhone 4 to include a flash.

A problem exists with the flash when the phone is used with a case. The flashes have a very wide angle of light exposure, so that everything within the view of the camera is illuminated (FIG. 1). The intensity of the light decreases from the main cone of light, as the angle increases off the center of the field of view, into the secondary cone of light. This is a gradual decreasing of intensity from the main cone of light to the secondary cone of light. The distinction between the main and secondary cones of light is based on a threshold defined for the light intensity.

The distinction between the main and secondary cones of light can be roughly marked or distinguished using the following rule: The secondary cone (boundary) is defined as the space or area that gets altered by a case, in terms of erroneous color and image, if one is not using the current invention.

When a case, skin, shield or cover is applied to the device for protection, styling, or other user desired purposes, this case needs to have a cut-out for the camera and its flash. Even with a substantial cut-out in the case, the case often interferes with the secondary cone of light (FIG. 2). This interference has at least two deleterious effects. First, the secondary cone is truncated. Even if the light in this secondary cone falls outside of the field of view of the camera, this light had been previously useful, as it reflects off surrounding objects and illuminates the subject from more angles than the singularity of the flash position.

This secondary lighting takes out the harshness of the flash by making the light more even (over the subject) and reducing the unwanted shadows. Secondly, if the case is constructed in any color other than a neutral shade (i.e. constructed in any color other than a shade of gray ranging from white to black), the reflected light that bounces off the case and reaches the subject or surrounding area is imparted with a component of the color of the case. For example, a pink case will yield light that is pink. This pink light will drench the subject, and the resulting photo will have a pink tone.

FIG. 1 shows the arrangement of flash for a camera unit, on another gadget or mobile device, with main cone of light and secondary cone of light. FIG. 2 shows the arrangement of flash for a camera unit, on another gadget or mobile device, with main cone of light and secondary cone of light, having the jacket, case, or cover, for protection, plus an optional insert on the sides of the flash.

This phenomenon also applies to the flash for a camera or image/video recorder. However, with this invention and its embodiments described here, we are solving this problem and dramatically reducing this effect.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment (described in FIG. 3) addresses both the truncation of the light cone and the light color effects mentioned above. A lens (being transparent or translucent) is incorporated with the case or is a secondary part that the user assembles onto the case/device combo. The light travels through this lens, and when it reaches the outside portion of the lens, it results in an unobstructed light cone.

Thus, in one embodiment, we describe a method and apparatus for solving the problem associated with the cover affecting the flash/light from a cell phone camera (for example), causing and adding erroneous colors and information on the resulting pictures. With this invention and its embodiments described here, we are solving this problem and dramatically reducing this effect.

The invention can be applied to lens, flash, or other apertures, for camera, video, phone, or other gadgets, for any kind of image, multimedia, or video, on any digital or analog media, for transmission, storage, recording, or any other purposes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a cross-section taken through the flash or lens of a camera unit, on another gadget or mobile device, with main cone of light and secondary cone of light.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-section taken through the flash or lens of a camera unit, on another gadget or mobile device, with main cone of light and secondary cone of light, having the jacket, case, or cover, for protection.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-section taken through the camera unit, with a lens added.

FIGS. 4 a-b show variations or types of lens (or lenses) used.

FIG. 5 is a design for the lens, where the case holds the lens against the phone or gadget.

FIG. 6 is a design for the lens, where we added an optically clear gasket.

FIG. 7 shows a design in which the lens is made of (optical) silicone, so that it can be compressed, and it can stay (be held) in place.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A lens (being transparent or translucent) is incorporated with the case or is a secondary part that the user assembles onto the case/device combo. The light travels through this lens, and when it reaches the outside portion of the lens, it results in an unobstructed light cone (see FIG. 3).

The external surface of the lens can have a variety of treatments and shapes (FIGS. 4 a-b). The sidewalls of the lens could be polished, sandblasted, painted, or plated depending on the effect desired. The distal portion of the lens can be a variety of shapes from convex to concave. It can also have roughened or a Fresnel-type surface. In many cases, it will be desirable to have the proximal portion of the lens to be tight against the flash lens of the device. This can be accomplished by the case imparting a bias to the lens to mechanically push it toward the LED (FIG. 5). There could be a secondary compliant gasket that resides between the lens and the LED flash (FIG. 6). This gasket would take up irregularities and to allow for non-planar surfaces or planar surfaces that are not parallel to be filled with the gasket material as opposed to air.

The lens could also be constructed from a material that would have an elastic compliance to it (FIG. 7). This compliance would all eliminate air gaps and allow the lens to reside tightly adjacent to the flash.

This insert could be mechanically, thermally, chemically, inset-molded, co-molded, or otherwise, integrated or attached into the surrounding case or device. The insert can be integrated as part of a case or jacket. Or, it can be another piece, added to case or jacket, as a separate piece. The case may have one or more layers. The insert may have a notch or lip(s), to attach to the case or jacket. Or, one can use glue, screw, pin, small bar, or spring, to attach the insert to the case, jacket, device, gadget, or casing.

The material used for case or insert or lens jacket or flash jacket can be selected from the following list (or their combinations): plastic, elastic material, rubber, any artificial material, rigid, soft, flexible, wood, glass, mirror, smooth, rough, coarse material or surface, metal, alloy, nylon, cotton, wool, fabric, natural material, convex, concave, flat surface, quartz, transparent, translucent, opaque material, crystal, lens, uniform, non-uniform surface, reflective surface, or absorptive surface.

FIG. 3 shows main cone of light and secondary cone of light, for a flash for a mobile device, for which a case and its corresponding additional lens (or lenses) (or optical path or waveguide or assembly (301)) are added (as an embodiment). The item 301 refers to lens(es) or optical waveguide or device.

FIGS. 4 a-b show different lens configurations and types, as an embodiment, with the following descriptions/options (using optical clear plastic, as an example):

-   -   401: Distal lens surface     -   403: Polished surface     -   405: Flat proximal surface     -   407: Perimeter surface treatment: vacuum metalized (e.g., by         sputtering or evaporation), painted, plated, or roughened.     -   409: Proximal surface makes a tight bond or connection to mobile         device, gadget, phone, or camera, e.g. for an iPhone.     -   410: optical waveguide or transparent material     -   402: Distal Fresnel lens

FIG. 5 shows different lens configurations and setup, as an embodiment, with the following descriptions/options:

-   -   501: Lens(es), optical waveguide, or material     -   503: Mobile Device     -   505: Flash (or lens plus flash), for a camera or mobile device     -   510: Filler, ring, or insert designed to bias the lens (501)         against the mobile device over a flash (505), e.g., by tapering         the inner side of the filler or ring.

FIG. 6 shows different lens configurations and setup, as an embodiment, with the following descriptions/options:

-   -   601: Lens(es), optical waveguide, or material     -   603: Mobile Device     -   605: Flash     -   610: Filler, ring, or insert designed to capture the lens (601)         and gasket (612) against the mobile device over flash (605).     -   612: Optically clear (transparent or translucent) compliant         gasket (for example, for holding purpose), e.g., an optical         silicone.

FIG. 7 shows different lens configurations and setup, as an embodiment, with the following descriptions/options:

-   -   701: Compressible Lens(es), optical waveguide, or material (for         example, for holding purpose), e.g., optical silicone.     -   703: Mobile Device     -   705: Flash     -   710: Filler, ring, or insert designed to capture the lens (701)         against the mobile device over flash (705).

Any variations of the above teaching are also intended to be covered by this patent application. In all the above variations, the use of the filler (510, 610 and 710) is optional as its function could be achieved with its details formed into the case itself. 

1. A case or casing for a mobile device, said case or casing comprising: an optical path or waveguide; and a jacket or cover; wherein said optical path or waveguide comprises one or more lenses; wherein said jacket or cover covers a portion or whole surface of said mobile device; wherein said optical path or waveguide is inserted, attached, plugged-in, glued, secured, screwed, pinned, set-in, or connected to or put inside of said jacket or cover; wherein said optical path or waveguide is located in front of a flash of said mobile device, so that any light coming out of said flash is passing through said optical path or waveguide; wherein said mobile device comprises a camera, still image recorder, or video recorder.
 2. The case or casing for a mobile device as recited in claim 1, wherein said optical path or waveguide comprises one lens.
 3. The case or casing for a mobile device as recited in claim 1, wherein said optical path or waveguide comprises more than one lens.
 4. The case or casing for a mobile device as recited in claim 1, wherein said optical path or waveguide comprises two lenses.
 5. The case or casing for a mobile device as recited in claim 1, wherein said optical path or waveguide comprises a Fresnel-type lens.
 6. The case or casing for a mobile device as recited in claim 1, wherein said optical path or waveguide comprises a lens with at least one polished surface.
 7. The case or casing for a mobile device as recited in claim 1, wherein said optical path or waveguide comprises a lens with at least one rough or coarse surface.
 8. The case or casing for a mobile device as recited in claim 1, wherein said optical path or waveguide comprises a lens with a flat surface.
 9. The case or casing for a mobile device as recited in claim 1, wherein said optical path or waveguide comprises a lens with a curved surface.
 10. The case or casing for a mobile device as recited in claim 1, wherein said optical path or waveguide comprises a lens with a concave surface.
 11. The case or casing for a mobile device as recited in claim 1, wherein said optical path or waveguide comprises a lens with a convex surface.
 12. The case or casing for a mobile device as recited in claim 1, wherein said optical path or waveguide comprises a lens with inclined substantially planar surface which is not co-planar with the exterior surface of the flash.
 13. The case or casing for a mobile device as recited in claim 1, wherein said optical path or waveguide comprises a lens with an exterior surface which is vacuum-metallized, painted, plated, or roughened.
 14. The case or casing for a mobile device as recited in claim 1, wherein said optical path or waveguide comprises a lens which is held in place, by pressing against said jacket or cover.
 15. The case or casing for a mobile device as recited in claim 1, wherein said case or casing comprises an optically clear gasket residing between the flash and optical path or waveguide.
 16. The case or casing for a mobile device as recited in claim 1, wherein said case or casing comprises a piece of optical silicone.
 17. The case or casing for a mobile device as recited in claim 1, wherein said optical path or waveguide comprises a lens made of optical silicone.
 18. The case or casing for a mobile device as recited in claim 1, wherein said optical path or waveguide comprises a lens made of a material which can be compressed.
 19. The case or casing for a mobile device as recited in claim 1, wherein said optical path or waveguide comprises a lens made of an elastic material.
 20. The case or casing for a mobile device as recited in claim 1, wherein said optical path or waveguide comprises a piece made of an optically clear plastic material. 